Coupling for rock-drills



A. PBELL. GOUPLIN- ROCK DRILLS.

No.. 441,279. Patented Nom-25,1890.

immo v l NITED STATES PATENT ENCEo ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

COUPLING FOR ROCK-DRILLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,279, dated November 25, 1890.

Application iiled March 21, 1890.

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny,and in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Couplingsfor Rock-Drills and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal central section of my drill-coupling; Fig. 2, a section of the same on line ir m of Fig. Vl; Fig. 3, a detail plan view of the end of the drill rod or shank; Fig. ai, a horizontal section of the same on line 'y y of Fig. 2; Fig. a longitudinal central section of a different form of my coupling; Fig. 6, a detail sectional view showing a different form of the interlocking parts, and Fig. 7 a similar view showing a way to preventthe sidewise movement of the tool-shank without the use of a sleeve.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The object of my invention is to provide an' improved coupling forconnecting a drill to a rod or stem; and to this end my invention consists in the coupling` and in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the partsthereof, as hereinafter specified.

In the boring of Artesian wells with tools coupled to the stem or rod by the couplings as heretofore made and used there has always been great danger of the tool working loose and becoming detached in the bore, from which it is often impossible to recover it. The loosening of the coupling, allowing the detaching of the drill, has frequently been the cause not only of loss of the drill or tool, but also of abandonment of the well, involving the great cost and delay in starting another well. IVith this great objection to the drill-couplings as heretofore made in viewI have invented the form of couplings which, as shown in the drawings and described hereinafter, cannot work'loose or allow the drill to become detached from its rod during use.

In the drawings, A designates the shank of the'drill, and B thel'rod or stem to which it is to be fastened.

IVhile I shall show and describe my invention as applied to thc coupling of rock-drills Serial No. 344,771. (No model.)

to their stems or rods, I contemplate applying it also in the case of other tools to be held in or fastened to stems, handles, or holders of various kinds.

In the form of coupling shown in the drawings the tool-shank A has extending across its upper end the upwardly-extending tongue A', having on its opposite sides a series of longitudinal ribs u, a, which can be formed with their upper and lower sides parallel, or, as I prefer and as shown in the drawings, slightly inclined in opposite directions. The inclination of the upper and lower faces 0f these ribs, as illustrated in Fig. l, is slightly exaggerated for the sake of clearness. While the sides of the tongue itself can without departure from my invention be vertical, as shown in Fig. 6,Iprefer to make them slightly inclined toward each other, so that the tongue tapers gradually upward.

The planes of the upper ends of the shank A and tongue A are parallel with each other, but inclined at a slight angle to the shank, while the upper and lower faces of the ribs run at right angles to the stem. There is preferably at both the top and bottom of the tongue a space without a rib. ing of the same width or thickness throughout, the tongue is made tapering longitudinally toward the end where its top is lowest.

Instead of loe-v The lower end of the rod or stem B has its face inclined slightly, so as to be parallel with versely across it runs the recess B', shaped to iit the tongue A', and having the horizontal grooves b b arranged to fit the ribs a aon the tongue. The upper face of the recess has the same inclination as the top of the tongue. The recess is also, like the tongue, made tapering longitudinally toward its end, Where the recess top is lowest. The depth of the recess with reference to the tongue is such that when the latter has been passed longitudinally into the former until the shank A is in proper position with relation to the stem or rod B the end of the latter will bear closely upon the top of the shank and the top of the tongue A will be seated against that of the recess.

The inclination of the abutting faces of the ICO shank and .stem and tongue and recess and the longitudinal taper recess and tongue enable the latter to be passed easily into the of the shank and stern or rod most firmly and squarely together, where they will be held until the tongueis moved longitudinally back again in the recess. To effectually prevent any such movement, I provide the stem or rod B with a sleeve or ferrule C, which is adapted to overlap and inclose a portion of the end of the tool-shank A. 'In the form of coupling shown in Figs. l and 2 this sleeve, while cylindrical on the outer side, is made within tapering slightly upward to fit upon the upwardly-tapering upper and lower portions, respectively, of the tool-shank A and rod B. Thelatter is just abovethe upper end of the ferrule or sleeve made substantially of the diameter of the bore of the sleeve at that point, so that when the latter has been raised slightly from the taper portions of the shank and rod it can be slid freely up on the rod. In order to prevent any such upward movement when the sleeve has been driven down into place surrounding and engaging the tool-shank, a

split ring or sleeve D of sufficient length to abut at one end against the top of the sleeve C and at the other against the shoulder b on the rod B can be sprung or snapped upon said rod, as shown.

In Fig. 5 I show another form of my coupling, in which the tongue A', instead of being tapered upward and provided with a series of ribs, as in the coupling shown in Fig. l, is increased in thickness toward its upper end, so as to give it a dovetail shape, the receivingrecess B' being made to correspond with it in form. The abutting faces of the tool-shank and stem and of the tongue and recess are given the inclination already described hereinbefore, and the tongue and recess are also to be made tapering longitudinally.

Instead of the sleeve or ferrule, as shown in Figs. l and 2, an interioriy-threaded one can be used screwed upon threaded portions of the tool-shank A and stem B, respectively, so as to hold the dovetail tongue A securely seated in the similarly-shaped recess. It will be observed that in this form of coupling, as in that already described having the ribs on the tongue and engaging grooves in the recess side, the object is to have portions on thesides of the tongue overlap portions of the stem B at the sides of recess C, so as to get a secure locking of the tongue in the recess against a pull or strain tending to draw the tool-shank end away from that of the stem.

The manner-'of using my coupling is briefly as follows: Where the sleeve C, as shown in Figs. l and 2, is employed it is before the tool-shank: A and stem or rod B are put together slid up upon the cylindrical part of the rod, so that the tongue A can be passed longitudinally into the rccessB. The longitudinal taper of the tongue and recess prevents the tongue going beyond its proper point and insures a close firm lit.` Then the tool-shank has been lnoved to bring it in line with the rod or stein B, the inclined faces on the shank and rod ends and on the upper ends of the tongue and recess will be seated most closely against each other, so as to have no chance of independent longitudinal 1novement Vof the rod and shank. rlhe sleeve or ferrule can then be driven down to engage and inclose a portion of the tool-shank, so as to securely hold it from such sidewise movement as would be necessary. to move the tongue A longitudinally back from its seated position in the recess and fastened 1n place by snapping the split ring D on the stem, as described hereinbefore. If desired, the sleeve can be heated, so as to expand it before it is driven down over the tool-shank end. Upon cooling and contracting it will then grip firmly the tapered adjoining parts of the shank and stem, so as to hold them and itself securely in place without chance of loosening, even without the locking action of the split ring or. sleeve D.V

Vhen the sleeve C is formed, as shown in Fig. l, with the upwardlytapering bore smaller at its upper end than the lower end of the rod or stem B, it can before being put in place on the latter be heated, so as to ex pand it until it has been slipped over the rod end.

Obviously, instead of having the tongue on the tool-shank and the recess on the rod, the

Varrangement can be reversed, so that the tongue and recess will be on the rod and shank, respectively, without departure from my invention.

In the form of coupling shown in Fig. 5'

the screw-sleeve C is screwed up upon the rod or stem, so as to admit the passage of the tool-shank tongue into the rod-recess, and then is sciewed down, so as to inclose a portion of the tool-shank and hold it from sidewise motion with reference to the rod end. A shoulder ci is preferably provided for the sleeve end to abut against, so that by screwing the sleeve down hard a locking or jamming action can be obtained. The split sleeve I) or any other locking means can also be employed to prevent unscrewing of the sleeve C during use of the tool.

If desired, the sleeve C in any form can be dispensed with and the fastening shown in Fig. 7 can be employed. show a taper pin E, which passes through both sides' of the recess B in the rod or stem B, and also through an Aopening to lit it in the tongue A on Vthe tool-shank. To retain the pin in place, its smaller end is provided with a notch or recess c, adapted to be engaged by the end of the screw-pin e', tapped through a portion of the stem or rod. The pin E while thus retained in place will securely hold the abutting ends of the toolshank and rod from such sidewise movement In such figure I.

IOO

with reference to each other as would loosen or unseat the tongue in the recess.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a coupling, in combination with the tool-shank and stem to which it is to be coupled, a transversely-extending tongue on the one part and a corresponding recess in the othe`r, both tongue and recess being made tapering longitudinally and formed with overlapping parts, and means for holding the toolshank from sidewise movement with reference to the stem, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a coupling, in combination with the tool shank and stem to which it is to be coupled, a transversely-extending tongue on the one part and corresponding recess in the other both tongue and recess being made taperinglongitudinally and having overlapping parts, and a sleeve adapted to surround and engage portions of the tool shank and stem, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

3. In a coupling, in combination with the tool-shank and the stem or rod having a shoulder, a transversely-extendingtongue on the one part and a corresponding recess in the other made with overlapping parts, a sleeve to surround and engage portions of the shank and stem, and the split sleeve on the stem between the end of the other sleeve and the shoulder on the stem, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

et. In a coupling, in combination with the two parts to be coupled together made slightly tapering in the same direction on their outer sides, a sleeve having its bore tapered to fit the taper portions of the two parts, a transverse tongue on the one part provided with one or more longitudinally-eXt-ending ribs, and a recess in the other part having corresponding grooves to receive the ribs on the tongue, substantiallyT as and for thepurpose set forth.

5. In a coupling, in combination with t-he two parts to be coupled together made slightly tapering in the same direction on their outer sides, a sleeve having its bore tapered to fit the taper portions of the two parts, a transverse tongue on one part having one or more longitudinally-eXtending ribs on its sides, a recess in the other part having one or more grooves in its sides to receive the ribs on the tongue, a split sleeve on one of 'the parts engaging the end of the other sleeve which has the smallest bore, and a shoulder on said part engaging the outer end of the split sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

6. In a coupling, in combination with the two parts to be coupled together having their abutting ends slightly inclined, a transverse tongue on the one part provided with one or more Iongitudinally-extending ribs or projeeting portions on itssides, corresponding recesses in the other part shaped to receive the tongue and projections thereon, and` means for holding the two parts from side- Wise movement with reference to each other, substantially as and for the purpose specified. f y

7. In a coupling, in combination With the two parts to be coupled together having their abutting faces slightly inclined, a transverse tongue on the one part made tapering longitudinally and provided on its sides With one or more ribs or projections, a recess on the other part made similarly tapering and provided in its sides with grooves to receive the tongue-ribs, and means for holding the two parts from sidewise movement with reference to each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

S. In a coupling, in combination with the two parts to be coupled together having their abutting faces inclined, a transverse tongue on the one part made longitudinally tapering and provided on its sides with one or more longitudinal. ribs or projections running at right angles to the part carrying the tongue, a recess in the other part shaped to receive the tongue and ribs thereon, and a sleeve to surround and engage portions of the two parts, substantially as and for the purpose shown and described.

9. In a coupling, in combination with the two parts to be coupled together, a transverse tongue on the one part made longitudinally tapering and provided on its sides with lon gitudinally-extending ribs Whose upper and lower sides are inclined to each other, a transverse recess in the other part made longltudi-A nally tapering and provided in its sides with grooves to fit the ribs on the tongue, and means for locking the tWo parts from sidewise movement, so as to move the tongue longitudinally in the recess, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a coupling for tools, in combination, the tool shank and stem having their ends reduced in diam eter and made tapering in the same direction, a transverselyextending tongue on the one part and a corresponding recess on the other, both tongue and recess made tapering longitudinally and having overlapping parts, and a sliding sleeve hav- IOO IIO

ing a tapering bore to fit the tapering ends of said shank and stem, and having its outer surface iiush with the outer surface of the latter, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I' 

